When you bring your puppy or dog to the veterinarian, he might start behaving oddly. This could be because of the unfamiliar setting, the multitude of animal smells and sounds or other circumstances. You might think that this is just how your dog will always behave in this environment, but there are steps you can take to make your canine companion feel more comfortable with visiting the vet.

If your dog is only ever in the car for trips to the vet, he may associate one with the other and begin acting out in the car, according to the International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAI). You can curb this behavior by taking the dog along for rides to other places, especially fun locations like beaches or parks.

The SPCAI also suggests bringing your pet to the office for brief visits before their actual appointment. This way, they can get used to the sounds and smells before they will need to stay in the environment for a longer period of time.

The way a vet handles your dog during examinations may be unsettling, so you can try to mimic the pet health profession's actions at home, when your dog is calm and relaxed. Pet different areas of his body and gently lift and hold his ears, lips paws and toes to simulate actions the vet may take. This way the dog won't feel as uncomfortable at the actual appointment and is less likely to be excitable if the vet has to administer dog vaccinations.

Specialty Care

As part of the VCA family, we have over 83 specialty hospitals across the US and Canada which provide referral specialty care, so there may be one near you. Enter ZIP to find VCA specialty care hospitals near you.